Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Pinot Blanc (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $19 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 12.2%
Production: 128 cases
Date Tasted: February 28th, 2016
Tasting Notes: Sadly, not a lot of Pinot Blanc is produced and released as a single varietal in BC - more should be. It usually makes a leaner, fresher and subtler wine than its more rambunctious cousin, Pinot Gris. And that's exactly what you get with the Upper Bench, stainless-steel fermented version: crisp acidity, fresh, clean orchard fruit flavours, subtle, delicate aromatics and a balanced, refreshing finish with a touch of lingering citrus peel and spice. Drink 2016-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Yard Wine (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $30
Alcohol: 14.7%
Production: 292 cases
Date Tasted: February 24th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A robust and rustic blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and a small amount of Cabernet Sauvignon, co-fermented and aged for 20 months in 30% new French oak prior to bottling. Needs ample decanting before the nose opens up to reveal layers of brambly dark fruit, sweetened soil and vanilla-chocolate toast. The palate is big and nasty with lingering, blueberry purée and chocolate-covered coffee bean flavours, lip-smacking acidity and grippy tannins that edge towards raspy.
Needs another year of cellaring to integrate and mellow the %@#&-out. Drink 2017-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Pinot Noir (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $28
Alcohol: 14.4%
Production: 281 cases
Date Tasted: February 21st, 2016
Tasting Notes: A terroir-driven, earthy Pinot with prominent oak influence on the rustic, spicy-raspberry nose and on the dry, full-ish palate where wild berry acidity leaves you salivating for the next sip. Finishes long but slightly astringent, with residual, dusty tannins and lingering blue fruit and dry herb flavours. Ready to be enjoyed now and will hold for a few years. Drink 2016-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
JoieFarm 2013 "En Famille" Reserve Gewurztraminer (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery & VQA stores
Cost: $27.90 (including taxes)
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 19th, 2016
Tasting Notes: Though less unctuous and intense than previous vintages, the 2013 En Famille Goo remains a unique snowflake amongst its peers on the shelves of your local VQA store (the few that remain). Look for aromas of freshly sliced, exotic fruit, juicy lychee, raw honey and Bell peppers followed by a lightly off-dry palate with similar flavours, added stonefruit notes and a vein of acidity that carries through to the long finish. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2013 Four Shadows Vineyard Merlot (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $TBA
Alcohol: 14.8%
Production: 320 cases
Date Tasted: February 16th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A masculine Merlot with a cool-berry, menthol and earthy-oak profile on its generous nose and dry, dusty-tannin palate. Notes of licorice, briquettes, vanilla and dark chocolate-cherry are present to add depth and intrigue for your senses. Finish is long and grippy. Age this one for another year before diving in. Drink 2017-2020.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Upper Bench Estate Winery 2014 Riesling (Naramata Bench) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from the winery here
Cost: $22
Alcohol: 12.1%
Production: 94 cases
Date Tasted: February 16th, 2016
Tasting Notes: 'Beauty and the Beast' may best describe the dichotomy of this Upper Bench Riesling. Opens with a delicate nose of nectarine, apricot, pear and steely, lemon/lime aromas, followed by a racy, mouth-watering palate bursting with bright, Granny Smith apple acidity and flavours. Citrus and stonefruit notes add depth while hints of sweet, orchard fruit help to balance the apple-rind infused, short-ish finish. Drink 2016-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2014 GFV Saddle Block Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $27
Alcohol: 13.3%
Date Tasted: February 11th, 2016
Tasting Notes: The Momma Bear of the Pinot Noir trilogy on offer from East Kelowna's SpierHead Winery, all from the Pinot-friendly 2014 vintage. Right in the middle on the richness scale between the flagship Cuvée and the $23 blended Pinot and sourced from the winery's original block of Pinot Noir plantings in their home vineyard. The "GFV" (for Gentleman Farmer Vineyard) is feminine and well-balanced, hosting a range of red fruits on the inviting nose and the concentrated, spicy palate. The finish is long with lingering wild berry acidity. Drink now-2018.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir Cuvée (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $32
Alcohol: 13.4%
Date Tasted: February 10th, 2016
Tasting Notes: Lives up to its billing as the winery's flagship Pinot Noir (they make 2 others), this micro cuvée is blended from select barrels and produces a beautiful wine, rich in complexity and texture. The loving embrace of French oak is felt on the vanilla-kissed, cherry-raspberry nose and on the vibrant, medium-plus bodied, red fruit and tea leaf palate. Structure is solid with silky-smooth tannins and huckleberry acidity. The finish is long and spicy with lingering dark cherry and Black Forest cake flavours.
A BC Pinot for fans of Californian Pinots from the Central Coast. Ready to go now, though, will hold for several years. Drink now-2019.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Ganton and Larsen Prospect Winery 2012 Haynes Barn Merlot Cabernet (Okangan Valley) BC
Availability: Widely available at BCLDB stores
Cost: $13.29 + taxes
Alcohol: 13.5%
Date Tasted: February 8th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A blend of Merlot and both Cabernets offering a fruity, plump nose of ripe, sun-baked blueberries and prickly cassis aromas with light, menthol and vanilla notes in the background. The dry, blue fruit-infused palate lacks refinement and structure with acidity running amok and mild tannins failing to appear until the short finish. Drink now.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
Fort Berens Estate Winery 2014 Late Harvest Riesling (Lillooet) Fraser Canyon - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here and VQA stores
Cost: $17.99 +taxes (375ml)
Alcohol: 8%
Production: 390 cases
Date Tasted: February 7th, 2016
Tasting Notes: A medium-sweet, late harvest companion to the winery's superb, dry(er) Riesling showcasing a similar, citrus-infused, stonefruit backbone and sourced from the same home vineyard in Lillooet. The mouth-watering backbone supports lush, exotic fruit aromas and flavours like papaya and lychee with familiar, orchard fruit notes of ripe peach and apricots. Delicious. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
SpierHead Winery 2014 Pinot Noir (East Kelowna) Okanagan Valley - BC
Availability: Direct from winery here
Cost: $23
Alcohol: 13.1%
Date Tasted: February 2nd, 2016
Tasting Notes: A bright and fresh Pinot Noir with juicy-tangy red fruit prominent on the engaging nose and the mouth-watering, (mostly) dry palate. Cherry nibs, vanilla, mild oak and mineral notes add complexity throughout. Light spice and chocolate-covered cherry flavours linger on the moderate-plus finish. Drink now-2017.
- Liam Carrier ©copyright 2016 IconWines.ca
